Just over a couple of years ago, Hyderabad metallers Godless premiered a songÂ called “Zombie Transmutation” at shows across the country, showcasing a slightly crusty, grind side to their otherwise thrash and death metal leanings. Their just-released second EP Swarm sees that track converted into “Infected by the Black,” a fine offering for any fan of extreme music.

Within just three years, Godless have found their place among Indian metal’s most reliable, relentless bands. They’re on the cusp of an EP launch tour that takes them across the country, and just earlier this year, they juggled finishing the record and a trip to German metal festival Wacken Open Air, as part of the winnings of Wacken Metal Battle India. Founder and bassist Abbas Razvi says, “We were almost looking at it (Wacken Open Air) as a business trip.”

When guitarist Rohit Nair decided to part ways with the band in March, even a change in lineup — something that stalls most bands — didn’t slow Godless down. Razvi says the “first priority” in finding bandmates was always commitment. “Skill will come later,” the bassist adds. But there’s clearly no dearth of skill when you listen toÂ Swarm. The five-track EP features breakneck drumming from Aniketh Yadav, who leads the band’s descent into hellishly complex grooves on songs like “From Beyond” and “Deathcult.” Just as Razvi and guitarist Ravi Nidamarthy takes control of all the riffs onÂ Swarm, vocalist Kaushal L.S. reigns on the mic, offering even more variation than their debut EPÂ Centuries of DecadenceÂ in his growls and phrasing. They rope in German tech-death guitarist Tom ”˜Fountainhead’ Geldschlager (also part of avant-garde experimentalists Amogh Symphony) to rip out a solo on the bruising closer “Empty Graves.”

Kaushal sums up the attitude and headstrongness of Godless, “The aim is to be better than the previous record, than the previous show. I think in Godless, we all pay attention to details. There’s no point being in a band if you don’t want to be the best in the world. We don’t want to rest on anything.”